There have been few cartoons that have moved me as much as Gravity Falls, and I still keep thinking about it, months after the finale has aired. If you didn’t know what it was about, a pair of twins, Dipper and Mabel, are sent to live with the Grand Uncle Stan, or Grunkle Stan, during their summer break. Grunkle Stan lives in Gravity Falls, Portland, and runs a scammy trap for tourists called the Mystery Shack. Although the pair are reluctant to stay at first, Dipper discovers a diary detailing all the weird monsters and aliens that can be found in the area, and starts thinking about why the place is a haven for weird stuff, who the author of the journal is, and so much more.
In every episode, the characters encounter some sort of weird magical creature or some conspiracy theory–Mabel gets courted by gnomes and the twins have to find a way to get them off their back, they investigate a monster that supposedly lives in the bottom of the lake, and Soos’ the resident handyman, gets into a pickle when his virtual girlfriend comes to life. The episodes reference anime, ’80s and ’90s technology, make fun of tropes in fantasy, all while giving the viewers clues to the big reveal.
But that’s not all there is to Gravity Falls — meta commentary aside (and sans spoilers), it’s one the most heartwarming and heartbreaking shows to ever air. It’s about the importance of friendship, of kinship, and ultimately, tackles the idea that growing up is incredibly difficult. But one of the things that struck me about Gravity Falls is the weight of regrets, and how the repercussion of one decision between siblings could cause so much trouble.
And if you’re still not convinced, the cast of compelling characters that grow — all of the main and many of those in the supporting cast do, which is a pleasure to see and not easy to carry off in a TV show that is supposedly for kids. The code breaking and easter eggs are the icing on the cake, and make the universe much more layered.
If you like speculative fiction, and the fulfillment of a childhood fantasy, go binge watch Gravity Falls. Just don’t forget the tissues.